DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY

Selangor Uniform Building

(amendment)(no2) By-Laws 2012
and
Malaysian Standards MS 1183:2015

Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs

PAM CPD SEMINAR

The Uniform Building By-Laws
is a
“PRESCRIPTIVE” BUILDING CODE

•Compliance with this code is a requirement by law

•Sets rules and regulations on the application of the code
•Provides pre-determined prescriptions

The prescriptions are absolute :

no smaller than……..
no bigger than……..
no shorter than……
no longer than……
or
no less than and no more than.
The MS 1183:2015
is a
“Descriptive” code of practice

• Provides informative descriptions

• Establishes normative practices
• Describes performance criteria
CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY

1 EVACUATION

2 PASSIVE CONTAINMENT

3 ACTIVE INTERVENTION

4 ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE

PURPOSE GROUP
UBBL (2012)

I : Small Residential

II : Institutional

III : Other Residential

V : Shop

VII : Place of Assembly

IV : Office VI : Factory VIII : Storage and general

MS 1183:2015 : Occupancy characteristics

FAMILIAR UNFAMILIAR

Office
AWAKE Carpark
Warehouse
Bus
School Cinema
station
Shop
Shopping Hospital
Factory Complex outpatient

ASLEEP Private house

Long term Condominium

Short term Hotel

Medical Hospital
inpatient
 • EVACUATION

• Detection
• Alarm
• Exits
• Travel distance
• Components
• Capacity of exits

Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:

“Only one fire at one location at a time”

NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover

Temperature / size

Untenable condition

Time

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Ignition & growth development Full fire Decay
 Available Safe Egress Time ASET
Temperature / size

Untenable condition
detection
alarm

movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition

Factor of safety:
RSET < 0.75 ASET
Required Safe Egress Time RSET
exit

• Final exit

• ‘Alternative exits’

• Storey exit

• Horizontal exit

• Exit route
 Final exit
• UBBL 133 – interpretations

• Final exit refers to the threshold that

separates “still within the building” and “out
of the building”. The liability of the design for
evacuation from the building ends at this
point.
 ‘Alternative exits’
• UBBL 166

• This is the primary concept for safe evacuation. Every

floor space shall be provided with at least two exits
on the basis that if one exit is inoperable, the other
exit can serve the function.
• This ‘designing for redundancy’ principle applies to
all aspects of evacuation.
 Horizontal exit
• UBBL 171

• Exits that lead to an adjacent (horizontal)

separated compartment within the same floor
 Storey exit
• UBBL 167, 174

• Exits from a floor which is of a different level from

the final exit, or, if on the same level, a distance
away from the final exit.

• A storey exit is to lead to a final exit.

 Exit route
• UBBL 133 – interpretations
• UBBL 169

• the protected passage from a storey exit that

leads to the final exit.
• Can include spaces that are designated as
areas of refuge anywhere between the storey
exit and the final exit
 storey exit

Travel distance
Final exit

Travel distance Travel distance Exit route

horizontal exit

Final exit
MS 1183:2015
EVACUATION STRATEGIES

TOTAL EVACUATION

• Simultaneous
• Phased

PROGRESSIVE EVACUATION

• Vertical or horizontal
• Zoned
SIMULTANEOUS EVACUATION storey exit

Travel distance

Exit route

Travel distance Travel distance

horizontal exit

Final exit
SIMULTANEOUS EVACUATION storey exit

Exit route

Final exit
PHASED EVACUATION
storey exit

3 topmost floor

4 other floors above

Exit route
2 floor above fire

1 floor on fire

Final exit

5 other floors
PROGRESSIVE EVACUATION: VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL

storey exit

Exit route

REFUGE

storey exit

Exit route

Final exit

horizontal exit
 ZONED EVACUATION

final horizontal horizontal final

exit exit exit exit
 ZONED EVACUATION

final horizontal horizontal final

exit exit exit exit
EVACUATION LIFTS

UBBL 2012
34A
“ Any building shall
a) be approved with access to enable disabled persons to
get into, out of and within the building…….”
c)…..(to be in)...compliance with Malaysian Standards
MS 1183 and MS 1184

MS 1184:2014
15.6
“All lifts in new buildings should comply to statutory requirement on
fire requirement for evacuation.”

MS 1183:2015
Annex G
Recommendations for refuges and evacuation lifts
EVACUATION LIFTS

A designated Evacuation Lift …..

• Shall be within a Protected Shaft

• Shall be a component within a protected Exit Route

• Shall be able to switch to evacuation mode by

Authorised Person at the Fire Fighting Access
Level

• Preferably to be a lift in every day use

• i.e the physical and functional requirements is

similar to a BOMBA lift.
 Travel distance
• UBBL 165
• 7th Schedule
• Dead end
• initial travel distance before a point where an alternative path becomes
available
• Direct distance
• Stipulates that travel distance must be measured along the actual path of
travel
• Open plan
• Where an actual path of travel cannot be determined, the direct distance
can be measured as a straight line direct to the exit. Permitted travel
distance is then reduced to 2/3.
 UBBL
165 (B)
Max
15m if
room
< 6 pax

Final exits To comply with dead end

and travel distance

Max distance is 15m within room

plus max allowable travel distance
From door of room to final exit

Evacuation : multiple areas

165. Measurement of
travel distance to exits.
(3) In the case of individual rooms which are door of such room:
subject to occupancy of not more than six
persons, the travel distance shall be
measured from the doors of such rooms:
Provided that the travel distance from any
point in the room to the room door does
not exceed 15 metres.
(3) In any of individual room which is subjected
to occupancy of not more than six persons, the To clarify that this requirement is
travel distance shall be measured from the applicable to each individual room.
Provided that the area of the
Measurement based on floor area of a
room does not exceed 15 room provides stricter control.
square metres or any other area
determined by the Fire
Authority.
 UBBL 165 (B)
Final exits
Travel distance
measured from door if
room is less than 15m2
and with less than 6
occupants

Evacuation : multiple areas

Horizontal
exits

storey exits

Evacuation : multiple areas

 23
1

Horizontal exits
 2 2
1

Horizontal exits
 Exit Route components

• Exit door
• Exit discharge
• Protected corridor
• Protected staircase
• Balcony approach
• Single staircase
 Exit door, exit discharge
• UBBL 173
• UBBL 186
• UBBL 193
• UBBL 133 - interpretations

• ‘Door’ refers to the physical door installed at an exit,

and all its functional components e.g. locksets,
latches, hinges and closers
• ‘discharge’ refers to the ‘doorway’ or threshold of an
exit
 Exit door, exit discharge
• Not all fire rated doors are exit doors
• Not all exit doors need to be fire doors
• Not all doors need to be exit doors
• Not all doors can be exit doors

• To qualify as an Exit Door:

• Exit doors must always be able to be opened (without undue
effort) at all times
• Exit discharge must always allow the passage of people at all
times
• ‘Exit’ in this context means storey exit, horizontal exit or final
exit
 Protected corridor,
protected staircase
• UBBL 133-interpretations
• UBBL 157, 189, 190, 191

• While not expressed, it is inferred from the UBBL

that all components that form the Exit Route shall be
of protected construction.

• Using the same inference, ‘protected’ shall mean

‘enclosed’, ‘separated’ or ‘isolated’ from untenable
exposure to Fire or Smoke
 Single stair
• UBBL 194

• Special provision for the common ‘shop-house’

design

• Usage limited to shop (ground floor only), residential

or office.

• Uppermost floor level limited to 12m

UBBL 2012 : amended provision for:

194. Buildings with single staircase.

A single staircase may be permitted in the

following premises:

(a)any dwellings at a height of 12 metres

measured from the fire appliance access level
to the highest and lowest floor; and

(a)any shophouses or dwellings not exceeding

two (2) storeys or (and) the first storey not
exceeding 6 metres from the ground level.
Clause 194 (b) : single staircase for shop house
Single staircase

House
House/
only
office

<=12m
<= 6m
Shop

1) House only on upper floor

2) No more than 2 storeys
3) Height of first floor no more than 6m above ground level

Clause 166 and 167 (not less than two exits) shall apply
for other building types
 Capacity of exits
• UBBL 7th Schedule
• UBBL 175, 176, 178

• Occupant load

• Exit width

• Application of horizontal exit

Sample calculation

Scenario 1: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A Occupancy load Stair B

(UBBL 180(b)) =1.35m2/pax

1000m2 / 1.35m2 = 741 persons

50m
Assume lobby C is inaccessible,

Therefore A and B must accommodate total occupancy

741 / 2 stairs = 371 persons per stair

20m

C = horizontal exit, persons per unit = 100 VII persons per unit for stair = 75
371 pax / 100 = 3.71, 371 / 75 = 4.95, say 5
4.0 x 0.55m = 2.20 m min width for lobby C 5 x 0.55m = 2.75m width each stair

Lobby C
Sample calculation

Scenario 2: upper floor assembly area in an institutional building

Stair A Stair B

15m 35m
Assume C inaccessible, either B or D
Must accommodate

519 / 2 exits = 260 persons

20m
222 persons 519 persons
B = stair = 75 pax per unit
260/ 75 = 3.47
3.0 x 0.55m = 1.65 +0.3 = 1.95 width dth

D = horizontal exit = 100 pax per unit

door D 260/ 100 = 2.6
3.0 x 0.55m = 1.60m width

Lobby C
 storey exit
250 pax 250 pax
Final exit

400 pax
400 pax

200 pax 150 pax Exit route

400 pax

horizontal exit
300 pax 400 pax

200 pax
Final exit
400 pax
PROGRESSIVE EVACUATION: VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL

storey exit
200 pax

200 pax Exit route

200 pax

200 pax REFUGE storey exit

200 pax 1000 pax

200 pax

200 pax Exit route

200 pax
Final exit
200 pax 1000 pax

200 pax

horizontal exit
ZONED EVACUATION

final horizontal horizontal final

exit exit exit exit
400 pax

200 pax 200 pax 200 pax

UBBL 2012 : 7th Schedule : Maximum Travel Distance

9
6 60 UBBL 1984
provisions
shown in RED
10
10 45
0 30 45
60
30 45

45
22.5

0 61

NR NR NR
NR 22.5 30
30 45
NR
NR 22.5 22.5
UBBL 2012: 7th Schedule : Occupant Load and capacity of exits

UBBL 1984
22 provisions
15 shown in RED
100 60 60 60 45
50 50 50 50 30

------OFFICE

------SHOP
Horizontal exit
Final exit
 Compartmentation

• Size limitations of ‘compartments’

• Fire Resistance Ratings of ‘elements of

structure’
 Compartmentation
• To contain the spread of fire from point of origin
• To limit the potential size of the fire
• To separate areas of different levels of hazard
• To separate areas for safe exit, evacuation or refuge
• To limit threat to the structural integrity of the
building
• To allow sufficient time for safe evacuation, active
extinguishment of fire and rescue.
 compartmentation
Fire Load

• Surface area / volume of combustible content

(A)
• Combustion heat per area / volume (B)
• Fire Load = (A) x (B)
NATURE OF FIRE
Flashover

Temperature / size

Untenable condition

Time

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Ignition & growth development Full fire Decay
EQUAL VOLUME
Temperature / size

‘high’ Btu

‘moderate’ Btu

‘low’ Btu

Time
EQUAL Btu
Temperature / size

‘high’ volume

‘moderate’ volume

‘low’ volume

Time
EQUAL VOLUME EQUAL Btu
Temperature /

Temperature /
‘high’ Btu

‘moderate’
Btu ‘high’ volume
size

size
‘low’ Btu
‘moderate’ volume
‘low’ volume

Time Time

Purpose Group classification

Prescription of
Limitation of Fire Resistance Rating
Floor Areas and Volume
Accepted assumption in designing for safe evacuation:

“Only one fire at one location at a time”

Primary objective of compartmentation:

“To contain the one fire within

the one location at all times”
 Contributing factors to potential fire load :

Contents of the building

• Fittings and furnishings………..
• ……………..including the building itself
• Furniture and equipment
• Consumables
• Storage items
• Presence of hazardous materials
• Presence (or absence) of human occupants
These factors lead to the
designation of purpose groups in the
5th Schedule, UBBL, …….

……and to the prescriptions of UBBL

6th Schedule
th
8 Schedule
9th Schedule
 UBBL 5th Schedule
• UBBL 5th schedule
• UBBL 134
• UBBL 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
• Every building is to have one overall designation

• Individual components of building with different usage

from overall must be designed to accommodate the
more stringent requirement, and where these
requirements ‘spill’ into the other parts of the building,
the more stringent requirement applies.

• Only ‘horizontal’ separation is allowed between buildings

of different purpose groups
 UBBL 5th Schedule
• Dimensions of buildings and compartments

• Single storey buildings : limitations apply only

to II and III
• Others : dimensional limitations does not
apply to I, IV and VII
 other limitations that may affect areas and
volumes
• UBBL
• 136, 220 : if automatic sprinklers installed,
limits can be doubled ( x 2 )
• 137 : floor to floor compartmentation
• 138 : floor and wall compartmentation for
flats, basement and areas of different usage
• 139 : compartmentation of hazardous areas
 other limitations that may affect areas and
volumes

• 158, 178 to 188 : specific coverage for VII –

places of assembly

• Travel distances and occupant loads

 UBBL 6th Schedule

• UBBL 142, 145 Construction and protection of

external walls
 UBBL 8th Schedule
• UBBL 204 to 207
• Flame spread over surfaces of walls and
ceilings
 UBBL 9th Schedule

• Minimum periods of Fire Resistance for

Elements of Structure.
• UBBL 213 : every element of structure to have FRP
no less than as specified in 9th Schedule
 Elements of structure
for application of FRP
• Structural frame, beams and columns (excluding roof
structures)
• Floor (except the lowest floor)
• Compartment floor
• External wall
• Separating wall ( including party wall )
• Compartment wall
• Protected shaft : structure and enclosure
• Load bearing wall
• gallery
 UBBL 2012 : SEPARATING WALL : TERRACE HOUSES

•Constructional function : Party Wall UBBL 86

•Fire safety function : Separating wall to be Compartment Wall UBBL 138(c)
•Check compartment size
•Check Fire Resistance Period of elements of structure

•UBBL 214 : External Wall and Separating Wall minimum FRP

UBBL 1984 UBBL 2012

86 Party walls.
By-law 141: Separating walls has
(1) All party walls shall generally be of not
less than 200 millimetres total thickness of
-Deleted- already provided the necessary
solid masonry or insitu concrete which fire requirements served to
may be made up of two separate skins
prevent the spread of fire from
each of not less than 100 millimetres
thickness if consctructed at different one separate unit of house to
times: another. As such the Fire Authority
will only make reference to by-law
141.
Provided that in multi-storeyed flats and
terrace houses of reinforced concrete or of
protected steel framed construction
having floors and roofs constructed to the
requirements of these By-laws, the party
wall thereof shall not be less than 100
millimetres total thickness.

(2) Party walls in single storeyed houses

may be in load-bearing 100 millimetres
solid masonry or insitu concrete provided
the requirements of Part V, VI and VII of
these By-laws are complied with.

(3) All party walls shall be carried above

the upper surface of the roof to a distance
of not less than 230 millimetres at right
angles to such upper surface.

(4) Other non-combustible materials may

be used for party walls provided the
requirements of Part V, VI and VII of these
By-laws are complied with.
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP

Service
138(c) : floor and walls separating purpose group
apts
215(1) : reference to elements of structure,
by building, or by compartments
215(2) : reference to height, by building only
138(d) : floor separating basements

137 : floor to floor compartment for buildings

Offices
> 30m height
138(b) : floor and walls separating flats

Cineplex
Shops

Carpark
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP

Basement compartment volume limit 42,000m3

Separation of vertical ‘shaft’

Compartment D Compartment A

Compartment B

Compartment C
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE

Reference plane

relevant boundary
Reference plane
UBBL 6th SCHEDULE

notional boundary
Reference plane
Reference plane

SEPARATING WALL
Sample calculation
2h x 3w
1) Establish Purpose Group
3h x 9w
2) Establish height and width
of enclosing rectangle 9m

1) Enclosing rectangle on reference plane :

24m high x 9m wide = 216m2
2) Total unprotected area :
( 2m x 3m) x 10 = 60m2
3m x 9m = 27m2
total = 87m2
3) Percentage of unprotected area : 24m
87m2 / 216m2 = 40 %

4) Minimum distance from reference plane

to relevant boundary : 5m
(IV –Office)

Office building Protected staircase

FLAME TRAJECTORY OUTSIDE WALL OPENINGS

Shape of opening

Square

1: 2
height

1: 3

Distance from face of wall

EXTERNAL WALL BARRIERS
UBBL 149

900mm vertical or
750mm horizontal barrier
 ATRIUMS
UBBL 2012 clause 137
UBBL 2012 clause 252A
MS 1183:2015 Annex B
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space
 UBBL 1984 UBBL 2012
Floor in building To provide stricter requirements in
137 Compartmentation by relation to the extent of subdivision of
exceeding 30 metres height. a building as compartment floors.
in height to be
(1) In any building not exceeding 30 metres in
constructed as
height, any floor which is more than 9 metres
compartment floor. above ground floor level which separates one
storey from another storey, other than a floor
In any building which exceeds 30 metres which is either within a maisonette or a
in height, any floor which is more than 9
mezzanine floor shall be constructed as a
metres above ground floor level which
separates one storey from another compartment floor.
storey, other than a floor which is either
within a maisonette or a mezzanine
floor shall be constructed as a (2) In any building exceeding 30
compartment floor.
metres in height, all floors shall
-None-
be constructed as compartment
floors, other than a
compartment which is within a
residential maisonette which
-None- may comprise two storey levels.

(3) An atrium shall comply with

the requirements of by-law
252A.
UBBL 1984

Clause 137 : Compartment Floor

In any building which exceeds 30 metres in

height, any floor which is more than 9 metres
above ground floor level which separates one
storey from another storey, other than a floor
which is either within a maisonette or a
mezzanine floor shall be constructed as a
compartment floor.
1984 UBBL cl 137

All Buildings above 30m 30m

All floors above 9m to be

Compartment Floors

9m
Floors 9m or below
need not be
compartmented
1984 UBBL cl 137

30m

By inference,
Buildings below
30m……….
…….need not have
compartmented floors
9m
2012 UBBL

Clause 137 : Compartment Floor

(1) In any building not exceeding 30 metres in height,

any floor which is more than 9 metres above ground
floor level which separates one storey from another
storey, other than a floor which is either within a
maisonette or a mezzanine floor shall be constructed
as a compartment floor.

(2) In any building exceeding 30 metres in height, all

floors shall be constructed as compartment floors,
other than a compartment which is within a
residential maisonette which may comprise two
storey levels.
2012 UBBL cl 137

Any building 30m

NOT exceeding 30m

All floors above 9m to be

Compartment Floors

9m
Floors 9m or below
need not be
compartmented
2012 UBBL cl 137

Any building 30m

exceeding 30m

All floors to be
Compartmented

9m
Including floors
below 9m
2012 UBBL cl 137

30m
Openings between
floors shall be
designed as an
ATRIUM

An atrium shall comply

with the requirements
9m
of by-law 252A.
2012 UBBL 252A Atriums in buildings

1. Minimum dimensions: 6m and 95m2

2. Exits separated from atrium
3. 1 hour FRP separation
4. Automatic sprinklers
5. Smoke control/exhaust system
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space (NFPA 101)

• Minimum dimension of 6m and minimum area of 95m

• Required exits to be separated from atrium volume
• Atrium construction and usage to be of hazard level no
higher than ‘ordinary’
• Entire building to have automatic sprinklers
• Designed for smoke exhaust and smoke control
• Atrium volume to be separated from adjacent
occupancy, or to be engineered such that the adjacent
occupancies are not at risk from a fire originating from the
atrium
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space

UBBL 251
Smoke venting for
Safe exit
COMPARTMENTS, ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE AND FRP
Atrium Space

UBBL 251
Smoke venting for
Safe exit
Compartmentation of large volumes
Compartmentation of large volumes
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements

•UBBL 141 : Separating walls

• Diameter of combustible pipe < 25mm

• Diameter of non-combustible pipe <150mm
• No flue pipes allowed
• Doors to have equal or greater FRP as with the element

UBBL 148 : Compartment floor and walls

• Opening for protected shaft

• Ventilation duct with fire damper
• Encased ducts to have FRP no less than half of the element
Protection of penetrations through compartments and elements

UBBL 150 : Protected Shafts

• for pipes, ducts, sanitary facilities, staircase, lift

UBBL 156 : Ventilating Duct in Protected Shaft

• To have automatic Fire Dampers at ‘appropriate’

intervals
 Required FRP
Max 25mm (/)

Max 150mm (/)

Half of required FRP

Required FRP
Half of required FRP

Required FRP
Full FRP for structures

Half of required FRP

 Active systems for…..

• EVACUATION and FIRST AID

– Detection and Alarm
– Communication
– Smoke control
– Portable fire extinguishers
Temperature / size Available Safe Egress Time ASET

Untenable condition
detection
alarm

movement
Total
evacuation
Time
ignition

Factor of safety:

Required Safe Egress Time RSET

RSET < 0.75 ASET
UBBL 2012 amended 10th Schedule
UBBL 2012 amended 10th Schedule

A. Hose Reel System

B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
A. Hose Reel System
B. Sprinkler System
C. Gaseous Extinquishing System
D. Pressurized Fire Hydrant

1. Manual Electric Fire Alarm

2. Automatic Fire Detector System
3. Centralised Monitoring System
4. Public Address System
5. Fire Command Center
OPEN STRUCTURES
OPEN CORRIDORS
UBBL 2012 10th Schedule
OPEN STRUCTURE

(1)Total surface area of openings is to be no less than

40% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing the
floor or compartment

(2)The opening is to be shaped and located in such a

way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is to
be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor or
compartment

“ Openings” is to be opened to outside, unenclosed

space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
 Example:
OPEN STRUCTURES Total perimeter length (25m + 50m ) x 2 = 150m
minimum 50% = 75m
Total perimeter wall area 150m x 5m = 750m2
minimum 40% = 300m2

5m

50m
25m

Total
Total
length
length
of of
openings
openings : 25m
(25m 50m
+ 50m)x2 75m
+ 50m = 100m
150m
Total
Total area
area of of openings
openings : 100m
75mx x2m
: 150m x4m
3m==300m2
=300m2
300m2
OPEN CORRIDOR

(1)Total surface area of opening(s) is to be no less

than 25% of the total perimeter wall area enclosing
the balcony (corridor)

(2)The opening(s) is to be shaped and located in such

a way that total length in plan of the opening(s) is
to be no less than 50% of the perimeter of the floor
or compartment

“ Openings” is to be opened to outside, unenclosed

space or permitted airwells. Any individual opening
having a surface area less than 600mm2 or area
width of opening is less than 25mm is not to be
regarded as an opening for this purpose.
 Example (corridor)
OPEN CORRIDOR Total perimeter length (24m + 2m ) x 2 = 52m
minimum 50% = 26m
Total perimeter wall area 52m x 3m = 156m2
minimum 25% = 39m2
6m 6m
6m
6m
3m
3m

2m
Permitted Airwells
(UBBL 40)

Total length of openings 24m + 2m + 2m= 28m

Total area of openings : 28m x 1.5m = 42m2
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE
HOTELS

A : HR 1 : ManAl
B : Spkr 2 : AutoD
C : GasEx 3 : CMS
D : PrHy 4 : PAS
5 : FCC
10th SCHEDULE

A : HR
B : Spkr
C : GasEx
D : PrHy

1 : ManAl
2 : AutoD
3 : CMS
4 : PAS
5 : FCC
SMOKE CONTROL

UBBL 2012
251
“smoke control systems where specified shall be designed and
installed in accordance with MS 1780

MS 1780: 2017
8.5 smoke control of hotel guestroom corridors

8.5.1
“Where internal guestroom corridors are NOT mechanically
presurised, such corridors shall be smoke purged or diluted at a rate
no less than 10 air change per hour.”

8.5.3
Natural ventilation is permissible only if induced cross ventilation is
available……..”
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

UBBL

• 196, 197 - smoke lobbies, protected lobbies

• 198, 199, 200, 201 – ventilation of stairs
• 229 – fire fighting lobbies
 Protection of stairs and lobbies

• Protected Lobby : protected lobby separated

or isolated from fire and smoke infiltration
• Smoke Lobby : a protected lobby primarily to
isolate staircases from smoke infiltration
• ventilated lobby : protected/smoke lobby by
means of natural ventilation from outside
• Fire Fighting Access Lobby : a protected lobby
designed for fire fighting access
 External wall Ventilation opening

No protected
lobby required

Protected
lobby
requirement
for building >
18m
(By-Law 197)
Protected
lobby
requirement Building more
than 18m above
ground level
 Ventilated
opening

Omission of
protected lobby
No
for pressurised protected
staircase for lobby
buildings below required
45m Staircase
pressurised
For building
above
18m but
No protected
below 45m
lobby required
 Ventilation opening

Protected lobby
No protected
requirement for
lobby required
building > 45m
[By-Law 197(2)]

Protected
lobby to be
pressurised

Above 18m, need PROTECTION

Above 45m, protection by
PRESSURISATION
FIRE FIGHTING ACCESS
UBBL clause 140
UBBL clause 197
UBBL clause 197A
UBBL 197B
140 Fire Appliance
140. Fire appliances access. Access
(1) Accessway shall be provided within the site of a building to enable fire appliances to gain access to the building. Access
openings shall also be provided along the external walls of buildings fronting the accessway to provide access into the building
for fire fighting and rescue operations.

(2) The requirements of accessway shall be as follows:

(a) the accessway shall have a minimum width of 6 metres throughout its entire length and shall be able to accommodate the
entry and manouvering of fire engine, extended ladders pumping appliances, turntable and hydraulic platforms;

(b) the accessway shall be metalled or paved or laid with strengthened perforated slabs to withstand the loading capacity of
stationary 30 tonnes fire appliance;

(c) the accessway shall be positioned so that the nearer edge shall be not less than 2 metres or more than 10 metres from
the centre position of the access opening, measured horizontally;

(d) the accessway shall be laid on a level platform or if on an incline, the gradient shall not exceed 1:15. The access road
shall be laid on a incline not exceeding a gradient of 1:8.3;

(e) the dead-end accessway and fire engine access road shall not exceed 46 metres in length or if exceeding 46 metres, be
provided with turning facilities;

(f) the outer radius for turning of accessway and fire engine access road shall comply with the requirements of the Fire
Authority;

(g) the overhead clearance of fire engine access road shall be at least 4.5 metres for passage of fire appliances;

(h) public roads may serve as accessway provided that the location of such public roads is in compliance with the
197A. Means of access and fire fighting in building over 18.0
metres high.

(1) Buildings in which the topmost floor is more than 18.0 metres
above fire appliance access level shall be provided with means of
gaining access and fighting fire from within the building consisting of
fire fighting access lobbies, fire fighting staircases, fire lifts and dry
or wet rising systems.
197B. Fire fighting access lobbies.
Fire fighting access lobbies shall conform to the following
requirements:

(a) each lobby shall have a floor area of not less than 6.0
square metres; and

(b) the openable area of windows or area of permanent

ventilation shall be not less than 25% of the floor area of the
lobby and, if ventilation is by means of openable windows,
additional permanent ventilation having a free opening of 464
square centimetres shall be provided except that mechanical
pressurisation may be provided as an alternative
 FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS
2012 UBBL 140
ACCESS WAY
An area for the entry, maneuvering and parking of Fire
Appliances during fire fighting and rescue operations
ACCESS ROAD
A road capable of accommodating the passage of Fire
Appliances to enter an Access Way
ACCESS OPENINGS
Doorways or openings that allows fast and safe entry of Fire
Fighting and Rescue personnel into a building during fire
fighting and rescue operations
EXTERNAL ACCESS

Access for emergency and rescue vehicles,

equipment and personnel
•Roads
•Pavements
•Parking

Availability of water :
•Hydrants
•Storage tanks
•Lakes, rivers, ponds

And access to fire fighting systems in the premises

AT THE PREMISES

Clarity of :
•Type of building and function
•Configuration of building
•Location of fire control panel
•Location of breaching inlets and pump rooms

Access into the building

•Protected passage
•Protected stairs
•Firemen’s lift
•Fire fighting lobby
Pressurised Hydrant System
Sprinkler System
Dry Riser system
Wet Riser System
External source of water
•Hydrants
•Lakes, Ponds, Pools, rivers

•Fire Tenders

Internal Systems
Fire Fighting Appliance Breaching Inlet
• Sprinklers
on ‘Access Way’ • Sprinklers
• Hose reels
• Risers
• Risers
 Required portion of
building fronting Required portion of
the Access Way building fronting
the Access Way

ACCESS WAY ACCESS WAY

• Minimum 6m width
• 30 tonnes load
ACCESS ROAD • Gradient <= 1:15
• minimum width • No overhead obstructions
4.5m (suggested)
• Gradient <= 1: 8.3
• Minimum
overhead
clearance 4.5m
ACCESS ROAD
ACCESS OPENING • minimum width
• Located fronting 4.5m (suggested)
Access Way • Gradient <= 1: 8.3
• (suggested) width Edge of Access Way
• Minimum
>= required exit • Minimum 2m
overhead
width • Maximum 10m
clearance 4.5m
 Fire Fighting Shaft
Fire Fighting Access Lobbies
Firemen’s Lift
Maximum 90m Fire Fighting Staircase
Hydrant to Hydrant Risers (fire mains)

Hydrant

Emergency
Power
Generators

Fire Pumps
Breeching Inlets

Maximum 30m
Hydrant Hydrant to Breeching Inlet
FIRE FIGHTING SHAFTS

18m

Fire Fighting
Shaft

Fire
Appliance
Access Level

Protected stair
9m
Final exit Final exit

Evacuation : separation of routes

FIRE FIGHTING SHAFTS : LOCATION

Direct distance
Risers (UBBL 230, 231)
All parts of floor within 45m from a landing valve

Fire Fighting Access Lobbies (UBBL 197A)

Level distance from furthermost point does not exceed 45m

Route distance
Fire Lifts (UBBL 197A)
Not more than 61m travel distance from furthermost point

Fire Fighting Shafts (MS1183 21.2.3)

With Fire Lift, no more than 61m from fire mains outlet measured on route
in laying a hose
AND
Without Fire Lift, no more than 45m from fire mains outlet measured on
route in laying a hose
FIRE FIGHTING SHAFTS : LOCATION check with DIRECT DISTANCE

FL

F WR

L W
R

Fire Fighting Access

Risers Lobbies
All parts of floor within Level distance from
45m from a landing furthermost point does
valve not exceed 45m
FIRE FIGHTING SHAFTS : LOCATION check with ROUTE DISTANCE

Is
Is
FIRE
FIRE LIFT YES YES
MAINS FINISH
START within
within
61m
61m
?
?

NO NO

Add install
Fire Fighting FIRE MAINS
Access Lobby in secondary
protected stair
within 45m
FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS : to Breeching Inlets

Min 6m 2m to 10m

H
Accessway Near edge Accommodation

BI
FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS : to Access Openings

Min 6m 2m to 10m

H
Accessway Near edge Accommodation

WR

Max 45m
Access Protected FFAL
opening lobby or
corridor
FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS to Access Openings without Fire Mains

Min 6m 2m to 10m

H
Accessway Near edge Accommodation

Access
opening

Max 60m
Route distance
Fire appliance
Access Way at upper ground level
access level and
Access Way
 13,000 m3 (1/6)

Access way at upper ground level

Access road 8,600m3 36,000m3 Access road / ramp

/ ramp (1/6) (1/4)

Access way at appliance access level

 Access
ramp

Access ramp Command center

Breaching inlet
Pump room access
Fire Rescue Tender (medium)
Fire Rescue Tender (light)
HAZMAT tender
Turntable ladders
Pump tanker
Hydraulic platforms
 THANK YOU

Ar Chong Lee Siong

APAM MIFireE MMIArbs